LG V30's camera has the lowest f-stop in a smartphone

If you've been torn between Samsung's NX300 and NX1000 mirrorless cameras, you should know the company has officially split the difference with its new NX2000. While it likely won't sway NEX-3N lovers away from Sony, the $650 NX2000 is only a Benjamin more than Sammy's lower-end NX1000 and packs the same 3D-capable DRIMe IV processor and NFC functionality as the pricier NX300. Of course, you still get the 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor seen across the line. The differentiating factor from its siblings is the Galaxy Camera-like 3.7-inch, 1,152k-dot touchscreen (fixed) on the back, rather than the usual assortment of rear buttons. The 100 to 25,600 ISO range and maximum JPG burst rate of 8 fps is just like the 300's, though this is only capable of recording 1080p video at 60 fps. Unfortunately, the autofocus is only contrast-detection, but Samsung claims that it's one of the fastest to the draw.

As you'd expect, this shooter features WiFi (single band) for connecting through AllShare or the Smart Camera app, plus there's a microSD slot for transferring files physically. Sure, it's not the most exciting update to Samsung's camera line, but it's clearly a big leap up from the NX1000 -- on paper, anyway. The NX2000 will be available soon in your choice of white, black or pink, and it comes bundled with Adobe Lightroom 4, a 20-50mm lens and a hotshoe-powered flash. Grab more looks in the gallery below and hit the press release after the break for all the technical details.

Gallery: Samsung NX2000 (press images) | 37 Photos

Capture your world in superior quality and share your story with total ease

Ridgefield Park, N.J. – May 1, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and convergence technologies, today announced a new addition to its award-winning NX family, with the launch of the NX2000. A stylish, slim compact system camera (CSC), the NX2000 combines outstanding, professional results with revolutionary Samsung SMART Camera technology. Photos and movies can be captured with ease and immediately shared with friends and family in stunning clarity.

"Combining consumer demand for quality photography with the increasing desire for instantaneous sharing has become a focus for our NX range," said Sun Hong Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales & Marketing, Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. "The NX2000 builds on this theme to offer a stylish model which caters to the needs of today's aspiring photographers who love to share their lives on social networking sites. Ideal for the everyday photographer who wants to capture their world, the NX2000 allows users to express themselves and share their beloved stories with ease with the people who matter."

Impressive Photos Made Easy

The large 20.3MP APS-C CMOS Sensor in the NX2000, produced entirely by Samsung in-house, produces extremely sharp and highly detailed images. Even in low light conditions, images burst with color. Designed to continuously deliver high quality images, the NX2000's capabilities are boosted by its DRIMe IV engine which works to reduce noise, improve speed and enable superior color reproduction.

With 8fps fast continuous shooting, the NX2000 can effortlessly keep up with the fast pace of life today, so that no moment is missed. Whether the subject is quickly moving or the photographer is on the run, the 1/4000th second top shutter speed makes taking clear, blur free images an achievable task, while the wide ISO range (100 to 25600) helps to deliver images that are beautifully balanced, regardless of the light conditions. The NX2000 works faster and harder to capture every detail, so people can re-live stories in dynamic realism.

Take Control of Your Images

Ease of use is intrinsic to the NX2000 and the large 3.7-inch WVGA Full Touch Screen provides a convenient and intuitive navigation tool to access a range of features. Slim and modern, the bright screen is simple and quick to use, making it easier than ever to control all aspects of the camera. SMART mode provides even more options to aid you in taking the perfect shot, offering 14 different scene modes, a selection of settings which reflect your shooting environment and needs. Users can take photos of fast-moving subjects, such as a child running with Action Freeze or capture everyone's "good side" with Best Face which takes five consecutive photos and lets the user select the best facial expression of each person in the picture. Users simply select the mode that fits their needs and enjoy the expert results.

With a choice of 12 interchangeable lenses, aspiring photographers have improved control over the images they shoot with the NX2000. From ultra-compact pancake lenses and versatile zooms, to a premium portrait lens and a macro lens, the wide lens selection only enhances the photographic experience. Samsung's innovative i-Function system allows users to further unleash their creativity by controlling various settings with the lens, such as the aperture or shutter speed, so professional-quality images are more achievable than ever.

Breathing life in to images, the 3D Still and Movie Recording capabilities of the NX2000, when coupled with Samsung's 45mm 2D/3D lens (sold separately), bring an added element of realism to photos and videos, which can be replayed and enjoyed on compatible 3D TVs. Full HD Video Recording ensures that movies retain the same level of detail, color and quality as stills, so users can view their story just the way it happened.

Connect Your World

Enhanced Wi-Fi Connectivity is at the heart of the NX2000, enabled by Samsung's SMART CAMERA 2.0 technology, offering a host of functions which make it easy to share and store images directly from the camera. The Samsung SMART CAMERA App, available on both Android and iOS platforms, provides a streamlined way of linking smart devices, ensuring that every tech savvy user's treasured memories are stored without fuss. AutoShare sends photos, as they are taken, directly from the NX2000 to a smartphone or tablet, via a direct Wi-Fi connection. Special memories can be shared instantaneously from the smartphone when users aren't connected to an access point, and images are also instantly backed up for those who are constantly on the go and don't have time to worry about storage.

The integrated Near Field Communication (NFC) technology seamlessly links the NX2000 to many NFC-enabled Android smartphones and tablets. Simply tap the camera with the smart device and NFC immediately launches the Samsung SMART CAMERA App and automatically pairs the device via a direct Wi-Fi connection. Additionally, users can sync their favorite social website, such as Facebook, to the dedicated Direct Link hot key, for menu-free simplified sharing with the touch of one button..

True to its commitment to capturing professional quality images, the NX2000 also includes Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 4, bolstering its offering to advanced photographers. With an array of tools, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is the essential photography workflow application allowing photography enthusiasts and professionals to enhance, organize and share photos.

Pricing and availability

The NX2000 (MSRP: $649.99) will be available in white, black and pink from authorized Samsung retailers nationwide and at www.samsung.com.

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.